Print

Cozy Make-Ahead Breakfast Strata with Ham and Gruyere

make-ahead breakfast strata - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and easy make-ahead breakfast strata featuring day-old crusty bread, diced ham, and nutty Gruyere cheese soaked in a seasoned egg custard, perfect for busy mornings and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups day-old crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (preferably rustic sourdough)
  • 1 ½ cups diced cooked ham (high-quality smoked ham recommended)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • ½ cup chopped green onions or chives
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer custard)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional topping)

Instructions

  1. Cut day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and place in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Scatter diced ham evenly over the bread, followed by shredded Gruyere and chopped green onions. Toss gently to distribute ingredients without crushing bread.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until smooth with slight froth.
  4. Pour custard evenly over the bread mixture, pressing down gently to ensure all bread cubes absorb the liquid.
  5. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.
  6. Remove strata from fridge 15 minutes before baking and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top if using.
  7. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-25 minutes until top is golden brown and custard is set (knife inserted should come out clean).
  8. Let strata cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with desired sides.

Notes

[‘Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess.’, ‘Soaking overnight yields the best custardy texture; minimum 4 hours soak if short on time.’, ‘Room temperature eggs and milk help custard mix evenly and bake smoothly.’, ‘Press down gently when pouring custard to ensure even soaking.’, ‘Cover with foil during baking to prevent over-browning.’, ‘Let strata rest before slicing to improve texture.’, ‘For dairy-free, substitute milk and cheese with plant-based alternatives.’, ‘Vegetarian version can be made by omitting ham and adding vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.’, ‘Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast strata, make-ahead breakfast, ham and cheese strata, Gruyere strata, easy breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/cozy-make-ahead-breakfast-strata-with-ham-and-gruyere-easy-recipe-for-busy-mornings/